When Chin Pa came over the river and saw the stone with the four large characters he said, “Woe is me, even the worms and ants know that Heaven has deserted me. I will kill myself.” And then and there, almost in sight of his enemy, the man he had regarded with contempt, he killed himself.
Thus ended a strife of nearly twenty years between two kingdoms, and Han Hsin came to be the Prince of his kingdom. Often during the time of kite-flying in China, away in the heavens one sees a kite in the shape of an old-time warrior, and few of the many beautiful and fancy kites to be seen have such an interesting story. The kite has come to be, in Western lands, merely an amusement, but in China, where it was probably invented, it ever carries with the sport the message, “Strength of mind is greater than strength of body.” [[71]]
A CHINESE TEA-HOUSE STORY
Chi Hsiao Tang
One day the Emperor Chia Ching called his scribe, the great and crafty Yen Sung, and said, “I want four poems immediately, one on each of the seasons.”
The word was sent out and within a few days poems were presented and accepted on Summer, Autumn, and Winter, but not one written on Spring pleased the Emperor. Again and again the literary men wrote on the subject, but only to fail of his approbation. At last he declared in a rage that unless a poem that could be set to music and sung by the ladies of the palace should immediately be produced there would soon be fewer literary men in the country, and commanded his minister to see that his wishes were at once carried out.
Yen Sung, almost in despair, went to his steward and told him his dilemma. Now, Nien Chi, the steward, was as bold and bad a man as his master, shrewd and cunning withal. After a moment’s thought he said, “Rest your heart! I know a teacher of great ability, who [[72]]lives at my inn; I will see what he can do.” He called his cart, went in great state to the inn, and asked for a man by the name of Chi Hsiao Tang. When Teacher Chi appeared Nien Chi with profound bows and his most pleasing manner said, “The fame of your literary ability has come to the ears of my master, Yen Sung, and he desires you to write immediately a poem on Spring.”
Chi Hsiao Tang replied, “I am a man of mean ability, but that is indeed an easy subject which you give me. Return in a few hours’ time and my poor production shall be ready for you.”
Nien Chi thanked him and took his leave. He returned later and the poem was awaiting him as promised. He read it with delight and said to the author, “The gods have indeed given you a great gift. One of them must have spoken to you from the Imperial heavens. My master will surely call and thank you in person.” He then withdrew and hastened to the palace of Yen Sung, who seized the manuscript and read it eagerly, exclaiming, as he finished its perusal, “Thank the gods, we are saved! This is simply perfect.”